Orlando must find creative ways to get all-star Vucevic more involved offensively

Glass half-full or glass half-empty, it all depends on how one cares to view the opening two games of the best-of-seven series pitting the Raptors and Magic.

Some in Orlando, where the first-round matchup shifts for Games 3 and 4, will argue the glass is half-full when one considers how the Magic, which is dotted with inexperienced players not accustomed to the post-season, earned a split.

Some in Orlando will also argue the way the Magic was steamrolled in Tuesday’s Game 2 does not speak well for a team that clearly did not respond to the stage.

From the opening tap to the final buzzer, the Magic was under siege, unable to deal with Kawhi Leonard and bringing no force when Kyle Lowry imposed his will.

Regardless of where one sits on the fence, the one glaring issue facing this Magic team involves its all-star centre in Nikola Vucevic.

Perhaps a change in scenery will have a positive impact on Vucevic, who was a complete non-factor in Toronto.

So consistent was Vucevic during the regular season that he was dubbed Mr. Reliable, a nightly double-double machine who helped fuel Orlando’s late-season push.

Two games into the series against the Raptors and Vucevic has been a push-over, looking lost when he does get touches, failing to carve his spot in the post, exercising poor decision- making and generally playing like a player making his post-season debut.

The numbers are there for everyone to digest — 3-for-14 shooting in Game 1; and 3-for-7 shooting in Game 2.

What the numbers don’t reveal is Vucevic’s frustration and apparent lack of confidence.

In the days leading up to Tuesday’s tipoff, the Magic projected an air confidence, but it quickly vanished in the early minutes in Game 2.

And so did Vucevic.

Credit the Raptors’ pressure defence and ability to push Vucevic away from the basket.

Credit veteran big Marc Gasol from keeping Vucevic in check and using his quick hands when deflecting passes. Orlando wants to play in the halfcourt and control the pace, fearing the Raptors’ transition game.

The good news for the Magic is that Toronto hasn’t shot the ball well from distance.

The bad news is that it does not possess those playmaking wings who can break down defences.

What the Magic has done is control the glass. Remember that, in Game 1, it was Orlando’s ability to produce second-chance points that led to its stunning win.

It didn’t hurt when Gasol and Leonard did a terrible job in switching on D.J. Augustin, who buried an open look from three-point land to produce the game-winning basket.

There will be an atmosphere unlike no other in Orlando where fans scooped up tickets for Games 3 and 4 within the span of an hour, the anticipation growing.

The fans will inspire the Magic, but the real issue involves Vucevic and getting him looks and better opportunities on offence.

“I got the ball in a decent spot in the post, the few times that I did,’’ said Vucevic of Game 2. “It’s just that they doubled-teamed me early and it was hard for me to create anything. They did a good job taking away a lot of the stuff, a lot of my strengths, and I just have to figure it out, a way to be more aggressive, be more efficient offensively.

“I didn’t take many shots either, so I just have to find a way to get going offensively. I expected this. I expected them to have a big focus on me, so I just have to look at the tape and see what I can do better.

“We have two days now before we play again, so we’ll figure out a way.”

Head coach Steve Clifford spoke of getting Vucevic the ball on the move on the eve of Game 2, running more pick-and-roll action.

But unless Orlando protects the ball, which it did Saturday in Game 1, and unless it makes three-point shots and buries its free throws, which the it did in Game 1, it’s going to be tough to get Vucevic going and for the Magic to win, period.

The series’ best two players, when they are performing to their abilities, happen to play for the Raptors — Leonard and Kyle Lowry. The third-best player should be Vucevic, but he hasn’t been even Orlando’s third-best.

When one looked at the matchups before the series even began, the one position that favoured the Magic was at centre.

It hasn’t played out, but maybe playing at home in front of a rabid fan base will inspire Vucevic.

‘NOT A BAD POSITION’ FOR MAGIC’S FOURNIER

Evan Fournier is keeping a brave face in the face of a Game 2 demolition his Magic team suffered at the hands of the Raptors.

“I’m not concerned, I’m just disappointed the way we played offensively, but I’m not concerned,’’ said the Magic forward. “Yeah, they kicked our (rear end). It is what it is, but we played poorly. Now we’re going to Orlando and it’s not a bad position to be in.

“It just feels bad (following Tuesday’s loss) because we played poorly.”

The Magic got a first-hand look at why Kawhi Leonard is a former NBA Finals MVP.

“Obviously, he’s a great player,’’ said Fournier. “He made some tough plays in that third quarter, step-backs, fadeaways, but we can do a better job and we will.”

The obvious adjustment is to force the ball out of Leonard’s hands by sending an extra defender on the catch. But Leonard is smart and has seen all sorts of defensive coverages.

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